Ontario Invests $100 Million in Long-Term Care Staffing

Ontario has announced a major investment in long-term care facilities across the province, allocating nearly $100 million to support staffing at homes throughout the region. This funding is part of the government's $1.92 billion annual commitment to strengthen Ontario's long-term care system.

The investment reflects a significant expansion of care capacity. Long-term care residents currently receive an average of four hours of direct nursing and personal support worker care daily—an increase of more than one hour per day since 2021, representing a 36 percent improvement in care delivery.

Personal support workers and nurses have been central to this progress. Over the past several years, the province has recruited and retained more than 16,000 additional healthcare workers. Professional development initiatives, including the PSW Incentives Program and Supporting Professional Growth Fund, enabled approximately 45,000 existing staff to advance their careers between 2022 and 2024.

The new funding will support continued salary increases and employment costs as the long-term care sector strengthens its workforce. Additionally, Ontario is investing $56.8 million to expand nursing program enrollment at publicly assisted colleges and universities. The government is also offering incentives up to $35,400 for PSW students and eligible personal support workers entering long-term care homes or home and community care positions.

This sustained investment reflects the government's recognition that quality long-term care depends on attracting and retaining qualified healthcare professionals. For personal support workers, these initiatives represent expanded career opportunities and improved working conditions in an essential healthcare sector. The funding supports the ongoing modernization and expansion of long-term care facilities across Ontario, with plans to build or upgrade 58,000 beds province-wide.